Toro, Brooks, Miller: Three keys to A's comeback win vs. Rox

OAKLAND -- Before the A’s boarded their flight back home from Kansas City following a disappointing 1-9 road trip, Brent Rooker gathered each player inside the visitor's clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium for an impromptu team meeting.

Rooker has only been with the club for a little over a year. However, his inspirational 2023 All-Star campaign and rigorous work ethic have endeared him to his teammates as a leader. So, when he sensed a snowballing effect from the group, he decided to speak up.

“Rooker is one of the guys everybody listens to,” said A’s third baseman Abraham Toro. “He basically said, ‘Keep your head up and just play some good baseball. Turn the page, go home and win some games.’”

Returning home to begin a six-game homestand, the A’s heeded Rooker’s words in Tuesday’s 5-4 win over the Rockies at the Coliseum, snapping a season-high eight-game losing streak.

The winning formula that catapulted the A’s early-season success -- which saw them climb as high as 17-17 (.500) on May 4 -- was back.

After hitting just seven home runs during that 10-game road stretch, most of Oakland’s offense on Tuesday came on the strength of three homers, including a game-tying two-run blast by Seth Brown in the seventh and a go-ahead solo shot by Toro in the eighth. Aaron Brooks’ quality start of three runs in six innings set the table for a dominant A’s bullpen, capped by flamethrowing rookie Mason Miller notching his ninth save of the year.

Here are three takeaways from what felt like a much-needed bounceback victory:

Toro’s torrid month

The A’s identified Toro as a player they coveted this offseason, valuing his impressive bat-to-ball skills. They acquired him in a November deal with the Brewers in exchange for Minor League pitcher Chad Patrick. The move flew mostly under the radar. Now, it’s arguably their most important.

Performing as Oakland’s most consistent hitter since the start of the season, Toro has catapulted himself as an everyday presence at the top of the lineup. Mashing his clutch homer off Tyler Kinley on a 2-2 slider low and in, Toro is now batting .341 (28-for-82) over 19 games in May. His 28 hits lead all Major League hitters for the month.

“It’s been awesome to watch,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “He’s really grown from the start of the year. He’s been this type of hitter in spurts. This is probably his best three-week run. But we knew it was in there. He’s awesome. The smile is kind of contagious. He plays the game hard. He’s a great teammate. All the intangibles are there as well.”

Before this year, the most games Toro had played in one season was 109 with the Mariners in 2022. Having played in 47 of the A’s first 50 games in 2024, this season is shaping up to be his most games played. And most productive.

“When the manager trusts you to put you in the lineup every day, it just gives you confidence as a player,” Toro said. “I just want to take this opportunity and keep it going.”

Brooks a bright spot

With three members of their Opening Day rotation currently injured, the A’s are leaning heavily on Minor League depth to provide stability.

Brooks has done that. After a solid outing last week in his first Major League start since 2019, the right-hander turned in a second consecutive quality start. After Ryan McMahon’s two-run homer in the first, Brooks finished by retiring 14 of his final 18 batters faced.

Going through his third stint with the A’s, Tuesday marked his first appearance at the Coliseum since June 23, 2019 and first game started in Oakland since April 24, 2019, against Texas. Based on how the first two have gone, the 34-year-old will likely get at least one more turn through the rotation.

“It was pretty cool,” Brooks said of pitching in Oakland again. “I told [pitching coach Scott Emerson], ‘Man, I haven’t been here in a while.’ It’s been great. It’s a blessing to be back. I love it.”

Can’t touch Miller

Miller’s dominance has become routine. On Tuesday night, he needed just 16 pitches to punch out Jordan Beck, Charlie Blackmon and Ezequiel Tovar. Of those 16 pitches, 14 were fastballs of at least 99.6 mph.

The perfect ninth pushed Miller’s career-high scoreless streak to 19 1/3 innings. Since 1901, Miller is the first reliever with a 15-game stretch of no runs allowed, 40-plus strikeouts and fewer than five walks.

“No,” Brooks said when asked if he’s even seen a pitcher as dominant as Miller in his 12 years of professional baseball. “Not first-hand, that’s for sure. That guy is one of a kind.”